Sweet snacks may boost heart health, sugary drinks do harm
Research published in "Frontiers in Public Health" indicates that occasional consumption of sweet snacks may be better for heart health than completely avoiding sweets. However, regular consumption of sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Scientists from Lund University analyzed data from over 69,000 people using information from two large Swedish cohort studies: the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men. Participants completed dietary questionnaires in 1997 and 2009, and their health statuses were monitored until 2019.
During the observation period, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. The researchers focused on the impact of three types of sugar intake: additives like honey, sweet snacks, and sugary drinks. They analyzed the risk of developing seven cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
Surprising research findings
The results showed that sugary drinks posed the greatest threat to the heart. Regular consumption increases the risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
According to Suzanne Janzi, a PhD candidate at Lund University and author of an article in Frontiers in Public Health, liquid sugars, such as those in sweetened drinks, tend to be less satisfying than solid forms, which can contribute to increased consumption.
Surprisingly, the lowest risk of cardiovascular diseases was noted in people who occasionally consumed sweet snacks, compared to those who completely abstained from them.
Janzi highlighted that while the observational nature of the study does not confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the findings indicate that extremely low sugar intake might neither be essential nor advantageous for cardiovascular health.
The study also revealed that increased sugar consumption affected various heart diseases differently. For example, higher sugar intake increased the risk of ischemic stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and heart failure in individuals with a normal body mass index. This may be due to the individual risk profiles of the participants.
The authors emphasize that their study is observational and does not allow for a definitive establishment of a cause-and-effect relationship. - However, our results suggest the need for further research on the impact of different sources of sugar on heart health - notes Janzi. She also points out that diet is specific to a particular culture and population, so results obtained in Sweden may not be identical in other countries.
